In a surprising turn of events, Cooperative U, operator of the Super U supermarket chain, is set to part ways with the international purchasing alliance Everest, as well as the Epic alliance. The retailer joined the alliance only two years ago, partnering with the other members Edeka, Picnic and Jumbo. The split is reportedly due to internal disagreements among the partners, potentially around strategic approaches or negotiations. Everest negotiates purchasing prices for its partners with more than 50 multinationals. Epic Partners includes Edeka, Jumbo and Picnic, as well as Migros Group, Jerónimo Martins and Esselunga. Epic negotiates with major suppliers for top-quality conditions for international marketing campaigns.
Just days after Cooperative U’s departure was announced, Everest and Epic welcomed a significant new member: Aura Retail, a French food purchasing powerhouse. Aura Retail stated that it wants to negotiate the best pricing conditions with the biggest multinational manufacturers, thus allowing more advantageous prices for its customers. With Aura Retail now onboard, Everest is expected to rival the size and influence of Eurelec, a key alliance between E. Leclerc, Rewe, and Ahold Delhaize.
Meanwhile, Aura Retail, Everest’s new partner, recently published details of this new partnership forged between Intermarché, Auchan and Casino. The French alliance comprises five operational structures offering purchasing partnerships between the three groups for an initial period of 10 years. For food purchases, Aura Retail will be made up of three central purchasing units managed by Intermarché. For non-food purchases of national brands, two structures have been set up by Aura Retail and managed by Auchan. Private label is part of the portfolio of the alliance.
With the departure of Cooperative U and the entry of Aura Retail, Everest is undergoing a significant transformation. The evolving makeup of these international purchasing alliances reflects the increasingly complex and competitive nature of global retail. As large retailers seek to enhance their negotiating power with multinational suppliers, these alliances will continue to shift in response to both internal dynamics and external market pressures.